So much happened as May wound down, starting with the Memorial Day program at the Capitol on Sunday. It left me wondering whether peace would ever be possible, for I saw creeping warmongering. I was disturbed all week until Ray McGovern wrote his thorough article on Colin Powell's legacy.
Like others, I was struck by Steven Leser's taking on Fox News. When they tried to corner him about street signs being posted where stimulus money was to be used, I first considered they had nothing more serious to complain about. Then I began to realize it was a good talking point for Obama's administration. It's sometimes hard to write about the dismal hole many people have fallen into. Is there anyone at OEN who has seen any results? I was told I could skip my monthly payment on my credit card--what kind of fool do they think I am? Credit card legislation may help when it finally takes effect.
My file called THESE TROUBLED TIMES overflows. But the documents deal with statistics of unemployment, foreclosures, bank failures, and the latest pronouncements from Washington. We desperately need to bring the story down to earth. Maybe a few more tent cities could help, but actually I'm thinking of how individuals are impacted. I guess the media calls it human interest. I look forward to seeing more of them on the queue.
Some complaints persist over Clinton holdovers in the Obama administration. State and Treasury are, as usual, the main departments to look at. For a nice piece of writing I suggest Peter Baker's profile of Bill Clinton with tomorrow's dateline at the New York Times (13 pages). It's called "The Mellowing of William Jefferson Clinton." Among other matters,it deals with how he checks in with administration before proceeding on his own agenda.
Sonia Sotomayor will have her chance to be judged by the sagacity of the Club of One Hundred. Not much to say on that now as the Leahy/Sessions Senate Judicial Committee begins its work. She will be a good choice, and about as sure as anything is sure these days.
Fallout of these troubled times includes edginess of citizens in general--no wonder divorce rates are high. (Is it because of family stress of separation during war or that of the wallet variety?) I've noticed some cyber-elbows sticking out in this family of opinion makers. In general, I do not pay much attention to comments--either flagged or unflagged. I concentrate on what I hope will help authors get their articles posted in a timely manner. If someone takes exception with what I write, I would tell them if I disagree--not the whole membership. Most people are so reasonable with comments and I learn a lot.
But, I'd be AWOL if I didn't recognize one phenomenon which I'll call robo-pasting. There are a few individuals who post a non sequitur on a serious article and then are not willing to cease commenting until they find other commenters who will keep the string moving. I declare! Often I wonder if they ever read the articles.
Of course I recognize that some of those who write may also be connected to any one of several conspiracy theories. That's something which requires senior editorship as far as I'm concerned. I am, whether editing or responding to my own writing, very suspicious of members who don't use their names and do not take time to write sufficient bios to be understood for why they write what they do. Rob Kall has made a diary to address the issue and that is where I wrote a comment. I'll say it here: If your work will be seen by many, why not be proud enough of who you are to identify yourself?
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